Nike Introduces Therma-Sphere Max Technology (PHOTOS)

Last week in New York City, Nike unveiled a brand new line of cold-weather training technology: Nike Therma-Sphere Max. With an emphasis on thermoregulation, Therma-Sphere Max helps athletes maintain thermal balance as the temperature drops—without, for example, having to add a million layers when you go out for a winter run.

We even had the chance to test out the technology ourselves, after gearing up and entering a 32-degree temperature workout room. During a brief but intense workout, the tech stood up to sweat, kept body heat flowing and was super comfortable. Of course, it didn’t hurt that everything looked fresh, too.

Scroll through photos above to see the Nike Therma-Sphere Max Men’s Training Jacket, the Nike Therma-Sphere Max Men’s Training Pant and the Nike Therma-Sphere Max Women’s Training Vest, all of which have a three-layer composite material that Nike says is “specifically designed to help keep the wearer warm, comfortable and dry without weighing them down or sacrificing style.”

OK, but how does it apply to basketball?

For starters, bball is a year-round sport, not just for NBA ballers but also for cats who are on the local blacktop even in the cold months of the year. Rather than fight the cold with a big poofy jacket, Nike’s using cutting-edge technology to cut down on layering and free up the body for movement.

The pros are training year-round, too, whether in the gym or not.

“Knowing that guys like LeBron, KD, Paul George, they’re training year round and not just indoors,” Parker Mangum, product line manager for Nike Pro Combat told SLAM following our live wear-test of the technology, “so HyperWarm is equally as relevant in their training in the outdoor realm.”

Not to mention that many pro ballers prefer to rock HyperWarm tights under their shorts, no matter what the environment.